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Butler Medal
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The Butler Medal, officially known as the Army of
the James Medal, was named for General Benjamin
F. Butler, who commissioned a medal to honor African
American troops in his command for gallantry during
the Battle of Newmarket Heights on September 29,
1864. The medal is silver, inscribed on the obverse
with “Ferro Ilis Libertas Perveniet” and
on the reverse with “Distinguished Courage
Campaign Before Richmond 1864.” This particular
medal is blank, having no engraving along the rim
identifying the recipient, his company, and regiment.
It is one of two belonging to the Armed Forces History
Collection.
The Butler Medal holds the distinction of being
the only medal ever struck for black troops.
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Division of the History of Technology, Armed Forces
History
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian
Institution
Behring Center
Transfer from the National Archives and Records
Administration
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